Jenny’s* (name changed for privacy) journey to obtain her birth certificate and citizenship was a daunting task, particularly for a twenty-two-year-old with no family support. After a month-long struggle navigating the government processes, our dedicated team in Nepal successfully secured her citizenship.
This was a vital milestone in her life, considering the rough life she led since she was born. Jenny was rescued from the community ten years ago after being subjected to sexual abuse. At the age of twelve, Jenny used to live in open spaces in temples but lost her sanity after claiming that she saw her dead father. Because she was mentally irrational and had no one to look after her, she was often harassed on the streets at night. Struggling with mental health challenges, she found refuge in a Women’s Safe Haven, where her condition gradually improved. However, her path to recovery was hindered by the absence of legal documents required for recognition as a Nepali citizen.
Her severe mental health problems required that she be treated by a facility that specialized in mental health, so she was referred to Kopila Nepal. This organization helps women and children suffering from mental health disorders. Despite her improvement over the past ten years, she has not completely recovered as a normal twenty-two-year-old girl.
To be recognized as a Nepali, any Nepali must have citizenship and a birth certificate, but she did not. She had never seen her mother and had no relatives to help her. With no one from her family background, we had difficulty providing her with her documents. Kopila Nepal referred us to assist her.
Drafting all her legal documents took one month, and she visited several government offices. It would not have been possible without continuous effort, and these documents are essential to her future.
She is currently in Kopila, Nepal, receiving treatment and doing voluntary work. Jenny is very happy to receive her citizenship because this signifies a milestone in her journey towards reclaiming her identity and rebuilding her life.
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